There may be a new wave of computer technology on the way thanks to scientists at the University of Leeds and Japan’s University of Agriculture and Technology: Growing your own computer.

Magnet-making bacteria may be used to create the next generation of hard drives, making them much smaller and much faster than current models, and cells may be used to create tiny electrical bio-wires.

As the bacteria take in and digest iron, they end up creating tiny magnets inside themselves, similar to those found inside hard drives.

Living in a world which craves all things smaller, faster and quieter, computer companies and scientists alike have been trying to craft smaller components for years. Though, as the technology itself gets smaller, the task to make such nano-products has become increasingly difficult.